Colonel Guy Johnson to the Committee of Schenectady, New-York

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Guy Park, May 18, 1775,

GENTLEMEN: We have, for some days past, heard of many threats from the publick, that gives us reason to apprehend that the persons or properties of gentlemen of the first consideration, both with respect to station and property, would have been insulted in this County, and myself in particular, under colour of a gross and notorious falsehood, uttered by some worthless scoundrels, respecting my intentions as Superintendent of Indian Affairs. To gentlemen of sense and moderation, these malicious, ill-founded charges ought to be self-evidently false; my duty is to promote peace, land my office of the highest importance to the trade and frontiers. But as these reports are daily increasing, it becomes me, both as a subject and a man, to disavow them, and until I can find put and chastise the author, to assure the publick of their mistake, and to inform them that it has rendered it my duty for self-preservation so necessary, that I have taken precaution to give a very hot and disagreeable reception to any persons that shall attempt to invade my retreat; at the same time that I have no intention to disturb those who choose to permit me the honest exercise of my reason and duties of my office, and requesting that you will immediately cause this to be made publick to the Albany Committee, I remain, gentlemen, your very humble servant,

G˙ JOHNSON.